Loss of Jobs in Office Direct/Viking Direct ‘a severe blow to employees, their families and the wider community’

Dublin North-West TD Dessie Ellis has said that the loss of between 65-85 jobs in Office Direct/Viking Direct in Rosemount Business Park is devastating news for the community and local economy.

The Dublin North-West TD said:

“A majority of the employees have worked with the company for over ten years and now are being made redundant on statutory redundancy. The company notified the employees last February that their operation is moving to England. Office Direct/Viking Direct is a major supplier of office goods to such companies as City Bank, Allied Irish Bank, the Prison Service, and various Government Departments.

“Considering that the company changed their contract arrangements around redundancy packages in November of last year, it is very convenient that redundancies became available a few months later. Not only does this impact on those who lose their jobs but also has a knock-on effect on the local economy as these wages are removed.

“I would call on management at the company to work with staff and trade unions to ensure that a fair deal for the workers is achieved. They should also make sure that retraining and upskilling opportunities are put in place for the workers involved to help them secure alternative employment. Though we are meant to undergoing an economic recovery, it is not a fair recovery for all citizens and certainly not a recovery for those at Office Direct/Viking Direct.”